Upgrade/new build advice

7zark7

7zark7

7zark7

Associate
Joined
16 Apr 2004
Posts
53
Location
Cardiff
My current machine, which I built in 2009, gave up on me on Sunday. I tried various things but couldn't get the machine to even post (all fans are spinning) so I think the motherboard has gone. It's an old machine and I was going to replace it later this year anyway.

I'm thinking of a new build whilst salvaging as much as possible from my old machine in 2 phases.

Current dead machine specs:
Case: Antec 300
CPU: AMD X3 720
GFX: HD6850 1GB
PSU: OCZ Modxstream pro 500W
RAM: 8GB DDR3
Sound: Xonar DX 7.1 PCI-E
and 3 SATA HDDs.

I would like to keep the case, power supply, graphics card, sound card and HDDs but use a new SSD as a boot drive.

New machine - Phase 1:
CPU: i5 6600K
Cooler: ?
RAM: 16GB (2x8) DDR4 3200
M2-SSD: 500GB (PCI-E)

1. Would the case and power supply still be OK for this build?
2. Does anyone have any recommendations for the cooler, RAM and SSD drive? I'll take quietness over performance.

Phase 2: I'm also planning on adding a decent graphics card, say 2 months after, when I'll have more free time so it's not a distraction now.

3. Any recommendations on what graphics card for around £175 - it will be used mainly for iRacing on a 1920x1080 monitor?
4. And would I need a new PSU, say 600W?

Thanks,
Andy
 
The case and the psu are fine imo not sure if 3200mhz is worth the cost over performance. Also added 500gb m2 drive this version is the new and faster version but if your not to bothered the older m2 by samsung is £40 cheaper.

The Alphenon cooler is great cooler and very quiet.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £550.05
(includes shipping: £11.10)
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Thanks for all the advice - it's pointed me in the right direction. I'll go the the faster SSD and probably the Kingston ram.

Later on I'll look into gfx cards and if I'll need a new PSU.
 
With regard to the graphics card, you'll be in time for the Radeon RX 480.

I do agree with replacing the PSU sooner rather than later: it's 7 years old. Anything OEMed by Seasonic will do you nicely.
 
I've had a slight shuffle round with things and decided I'll opt for a smaller SSD and the money saved can go into an i7 CPU instead.

My computer where I work is loaded with a lot of Adobe/Autodesk apps and it's only using around 100GB so I figure a 256GB would suffice for now. I have over 2TB storage in HDD SATA drives available to use already and can upgrade to SSDs in the future. The main apps I'll be installing are Office/Photoshop/Lightroom and maybe 2-3 games at any one time.

I'll definitely be looking into the Radeon RX480 once it's out.

Any thoughts on the following?

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £652.00
(includes shipping: £11.10)
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